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Mika Esperanza says her desire to become a doctor only intensified when she had her OJT at Ospital ng Maynila, where she experienced attending to the medical needs of patients. Jaime Campos

AFTER winning the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball crown, Mika Esperanza is looking to obtain another title.

The 22-year-old Esperanza said it was always a dream to become a doctor. In fact, she used her athletic scholarship with La Salle to take up Biology as her pre-med course, before shifting to Psychology which she is set to finish this term.

“I think ‘yung interest ko with science itself kaya gusto kong maging doktor. I saw the beauty of biology and of life,” Esperanza said in an interview with SPIN.ph.

Esperanza said her desire to become a doctor only intensified when she had her OJT at Ospital ng Maynila, where she experienced attending to the medical needs of patients.

“Nakita ko na masarap mag-serve ng tao through the medical field [because of] ‘yung experience ko with my OJT sa Ospital ng Maynila. And I see how fulfilling it would be to become a doctor and serve the people in a public hospital.” said Esperanza.

“I visited PGH once and I saw talaga ‘yung ibang tao, nag-bibiyahe pa talaga to get quality medical support. Kaya na-realize ko na I think as a doctor, I want to be a servant in the medical field,” said Esperanza.

Esperanza had already applied in two well-known medical schools, and has qualified for the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERM), while waiting for the result at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM).

Despite her goal to be a doctor, Esperanza said she is not closing the door on pursuing her volleyball career.

“I’m still undecided because the opportunity to play is there at a time na ‘yung volleyball is in big heights. Sayang din. That’s my other option. Sayang kung hindi ko i-grab ‘yung opportunity," she said.

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“But one thing is for sure. I’m going to med school and if ever lalaro ako, iba-balance ko na lang,” added Esperanza.